WEST CHESTER, Pa. – Four different goal scorers found the back of the net as host West Chester topped visiting Bloomsburg, 4-1, in a PSAC men's soccer contest on a scorching Sunday afternoon at Rockwell Field.
West Chester (5-1-1, 4-0-0 PSAC) remained undefeated and top the conference standings with the win while Bloomsburg (1-6-0, 0-4-0) is still in search of its first conference triumph.
"We have a great deal of depth and a good group of seniors," WCU head coach Michael Benn said when asked to describe the secret to the Golden Rams' success in the early part of the season. "I think we have a lot of leadership there. Right now, there is a lot going well for us. But, still room for improvement because I don't think we have played our best soccer to this point."
Fr.,
Doug Goitia (Mt. Pocono, Pa./Pocono Mtn East) got behind the defense on a thru ball from
Giovanni Mowrey (Bethlehem, Pa./Notre Dame Green Pond) in the 14th minute to put the hosts on top early. Jr., Jason Pixley (Philadelphia, Pa./Central) then headed in a cross from
Brett Glasco (West Chester, Pa./Rustin) in the 24th minute to double the Golden Rams' lead.
Nicholas Meola (Avondale, Pa./Kennett) pushed the lead to 3-0 with a direct kick from about 28 yards that found the far corner.
Bloomsburg struck in the second half when Matt Goodall corralled a throw in from Carter Luckenbaugh and blasted a shot through a number of defenders and into the Golden Rams' net in the final minute of the first half.
However,
Tyler Rapposselli (Reading, Pa./Fleetwood) added an insurance tally in the second half to keep the Huskies at bay. It was Rapposselli's fourth goal of the week as he was coming off a hat trick performance at Pitt-Johnstown on Friday.
"Tyler had a great week for sure," Benn reiterated. "He's been off the field with some injuries, which impacted his rhythm and his timing. But, he has been training really hard, and I was happy to see him get into spots at UPJ where he could get us three goals.
"His goal today was critical to make sure the game stayed out of reach. But, he is a very clinical and technical player."
Sr., goalkeeper
Matt Palmer (Bangor, Pa./Bangor) didn't have to make a save. West Chester outshot Bloomsburg by a whopping 22-2 margin. Huskies keeper Taylor Lesage was credited with 13 stops, many of the spectacular variety, in the loss.
"The biggest thing that Matt brings to us is his organizational leadership," Benn stated. "His presence and volume in getting people where they need to be is something that we needed early on in the season. He knows what needs to get done. He is an all-league goalkeeper. Hey, we are blessed to have two goalies, who have been named all-league."
